View full sizeDaphne running back T.J. Yeldon says he will enroll in January at Alabama. (Press-Register/John David Mercer)

In a move considered seismic by a recruiting analyst, Daphne High School football star T.J. Yeldon changed his commitment Sunday from Auburn to Alabama.

A switch had been considered a possibility for a few weeks, said Tim Watts, a recruiting analyst for BamaOnline.comof the 247sports.comnetwork, "but when he actually did it Sunday, it sent shock waves not only throughout the state but nation."

Rated a five-star prospect and ranked No. 16 in the nation by 247sports.com, he was ranked No. 2 on The Birmingham News' preseason Super Seniors list of top college prospects in the state.

Watts said the switch is big for several reasons.

"The most obvious is the fact he is a tremendous talent at running back, and both Alabama and Auburn were searching for a guy of that caliber in this class," Watts said.

"For Alabama they were looking to add that big-time talented guy who could come in early and contribute. It's almost a guarantee that Trent Richardson will go pro, and they will still have Eddie Lacey but they like to platoon their backs and pound the ball. Yeldon will have a shot to do that next year as a true freshman."

The 6-foot-2, 210-pound prospect, considered one of the nation's top high school running backs, had committed in June to Auburn, but on Sunday he released a three-paragraph statementthat announced he will enroll in January at Alabama yet didn't explain why he flipped.

Yeldon ran for 116 yards and three touchdowns a week ago in Montgomery in leading Alabama to a 31-12 victory in the Alabama-Mississippi All-Star Game.

Alabama now has commitments from 22 players, including one of Yeldon's teammates. Daphne linebacker Ryan Anderson committed in April. The only other player listed as a running back is Justin Taylor of Washington High School in Atlanta. Kenyan Drake, a running back from Hillgrove High School in Powder Springs, Ga., is listed as an athlete.

Auburn now has commitments from 15 players, including one running back: Jovon Robinson of Wooddale High School in Memphis, Tenn.
Doug Segrest of The Birmingham News contributed to this report.